Nature can jolt our heavy limbs

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - Bunga Raya (Malay)
Zone C

Yellow-vented Bulbul

 Nature sure has a pretty way to lighten up the morning.  The red hibiscus gives out a hot jolt, makes my steps lighter as I began to make rounds at the park.  The Yellow-vented Bulbul, high on the Cempedak perch broadcasts its bubbling calls throughout the land.  The ripe fruits of the ficus species, Ficus grossulariodes - called 'Lengkan' by the Ibans have enough berries to attract birds to enjoy them and then spread the seeds around the land.  The fruits are edible and the young leaves are cooked as vegetables. Before calling off the brisk morning walk (and climb) I spotted the Pink-necked Pigeon and The Oriental Magpie-robin sharing the perch at the Cempedak Hill. Looks like its gonna be a fine day.  I'll be back blogging later as I would like to take time off to see the 'big kites' at the Bintulu International Kite Festival later in the day....                                              

Ficus grossulariodes - Lengkan (Iban)
Zone I

Pink-necked Pigeon (left) and Oriental Magpie-robin (right) perching on Cempedak branch
Zone G

Highlights today at the park - 16 May

Stick inset , at Botanic Island Four (Zone I)_

Bromheadia finlaysoniana

 When they fly past,  you can see their reddish wings against the light.  There are many of these stick insects in the park and they look fragile in flight.  Wild orchids can be found too but the most common terrestrial orchid is the Bromheadia finlaysoniana (see inset).  Below is shown a clump that is about 1 meter tall.  The beautiful white flowers are fragrant.

Bromheadia finlaysoniana orchid clump, Zone G

Lengkan (Iban) - Ficus grossularioides

 The Lengkan (Iban) is a small tree that is found in many places at the park, preferring open secondary areas and unfertile soils.  The young leaves are edible so are the young fruits.  It is rich in protein and manganese.  The 'Senduduk' ( Melastoma malabathricum) has soft berry-like fruits consisting  numerous seeds that are attractive to many wildlife especially birds.  More interesting plants here are the Rabbit's Foot Fern and the  'Akar Riwet' (Flagellaria indica) of which the latter is used to cure erectile dysfunction as used by the Berawans of Sarawak.

Lengkan (Iban) - Ficus grossularioides

Rabbit's Foot Fern - Davallia denticulata hugging to the oil palm trunk.  The leaves are used for floral arrangement.

Senduduk (Malay) - Melastoma malabathricum

Senduduk (Malay) - Melastoma malabathricum

Akar Riwet ( Berawan) - Flagellaria indica
It is a climber and looking similar to the rattan.  Among the Berawan people of Sarawak it is used as a remedy for erectile dysfunction and to chase away evil spirits.
Location : Zone B

Red young leaves of a jungle climber
Location : Botanic Island Two